Agent or FSBO

by Guest Author Ryan Ward, Classic Atlanta Properties

According to the National Association of REALTORS, approximately 13% of homes that were sold in 2005, were sold by owner. The most common reasons people elect to try to sell their own home are a desire to save equity that would otherwise be paid in commission. A previous bad experience with a real estate agent or broker. and finally the idea that a professional, full time Realtor® is not needed for them to sell their home

The home selling process is more complex than having a for sale sign placed in your yard. Partnering with a Realtor®, such as myself, will save money, time, risk and dramatically increase exposure of your home to potential home buyers. Here are the most significant reason to partner with a real estate professional:

Sales Price - According to the National Association of Realtors, the average FSBO sales price in 2004 was 15.4% less than homes sold with a real estate agent. Much less than the commission that would be paid to a real estate broker.

Selling a Home is a Numbers Game - A FSBO has no access to the largest group of potential buyers. Most of whom are working with agents and the agents do not know the home is for sale because the home is not in the listing service, realtor.com, company websites or agent websites. A real estate agent will have a better chance of selling the home because more potential buyers will know that it is for sale.

Experience With Marketing Real Estate – Nothing can replace the experience and expertise that a real estate professional brings to the table in knowing the correct methods to properly market your home for sale.

Selling Real Estate is a Full Time Job - It involves marketing, staging, pricing, showing your home, knowing the competing properties, what kind of market we are in and understanding the direction it is heading, knowing current interest rates, working with lenders and inspectors, negotiating contracts, working with other real estate professionals and finding potential buyers.

Correct Pricing is Complicated - It involves making adjustments to price for repairs, which upgrades add value and which do not, location, market trends, what type of floor plans are popular, comparing many sold properties and the time they were on the market, how many home listings expired and why they expired.

Preparing and Staging a Home - An important factor and necessary to obtain top dollar. A real estate agent can provide key insight in this area.

Objectivity - A real estate agent can help smooth out objections a potential buyer may have with your home. It may be your castle, but, a buyer may express feelings about your home that compromise your objectivity. It is difficult for a seller to accept criticism of there own home.

Organize Objectives - Obtain financing, handle contingencies, coordinate various inspections such as home and termite, provide disclosure statements, recommend various contracting vendors, title insurance, closing attorneys and help a new buyer get their utilities turned on.

Most importantly - Most buyers would prefer to work with a real estate agent who will guide them through the home buying process, rather than work directly with a home seller.

Whether you plan to enlist the services of a real estate professional or you plan to sell your home yourself, visit Ryan Ward’s strategies to